The Sugar Merchant

The Sugar Merchant follows the adventures of scholar and merchant Thomas Woodward.A twist of fate and a tragic childhood loss leads to him being adopted by a group of monks from a nearby abbey. It is there he meets the people who will ultimately play a role in shaping his future...

...The tumultuous history of early Europe, as well as the Middle East, served as a backdrop for the protagonist's journey. The author's vivid deions were evocative of the sights, sounds, and sensations of that era. There was also a careful and painstaking attention to even the most minute of details that added to the authentic feel of the book...

...A full cast of characters, an intrepid hero, and an exciting plot were placed in the hands of a truly skilled author for the enjoyment of fans of historical fiction. Combining action and adventure with bursts of humor and humanity, this novel truly showcases the genre at its best.

"Hutson-Wiley's debut, a sweeping portrait of 11th-century commerce, follows an English orphan who becomes a wealthy merchant trading sugar throughout the Mediterranean...This complex and fascinating portrait of medieval life will appeal to history devotees." Publishers Weekly

"In his rich and epic tale, THE SUGAR MERCHANT, author James Hutson-Wiley not only demonstrates the peculiar origins of things we take for granted today, but he also illustrates how consequences of decisions made long ago continue to echo in our own present." IndieReader